Moffat Mungazi
Liberty Dube
Post Correspondent
A LONG standing dispute over land boundary between two Chipinge neighbours ended tragically recently after a 40-year-old man was brutally struck to death with a mattock wooden handle.
The victim, Fungai Mudhluri, died upon arrival at Mount Selinda Mission Hospital after sustaining serious injuries on the head, right eye and elbow joint.
The accused, Daniel Mucheto (42), was arrested soon after committing the heinous offence.
Mudhluri had cautioned Mucheto not to encroach onto his portion of the land.
This did not go down well with Mucheto, who picked a mattock wooden handle and allegedly struck Mudhluri several times all over the body until he became unconscious.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the incident which happened in Barauta Village in Chief Mapungwana’s area.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said the two had a long standing land boundary dispute.
“Mucheto went to clear bushes in their gum tree plantation. He finished his work at around 10am, and returned to his homestead. On the same day, at around 4pm, Mudhluri went to Mucheto’s homestead, and advised him that the area he was clearing bushes was not his. He claimed ownership of that piece of land.
“This did not go down well with Mucheto who picked a mattock wooden handle and struck Mudhluri several times all over the body until he became unconscious. The accused person’s sister, Ms Susan Mucheto, of the same village, who witnessed the incident, called for help from neighbhours, among them Mudhluri’s relatives.
“The deceased’s relatives hired Tinashe Makuyana of Dimire Village, Chief Mapungwana, Chipinge to transport Mudhluri to Mount Selinda Mission Hospital. Mudhluri was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital, and a report was lodged at ZRP Chipinge Rural Chako Base. Police attended the scene and arrested Mucheto,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
He urged members of the public to desist from resorting to violence when settling disputes.
He said warring parties should settle disputes peacefully and amicably by engaging elder people or third parties to intervene.
Online Reporter